Skip to main content

5 Best New SWFL Restaurants for Friends and Date Night

Down in Naples, the post-work crowd in the up-and-coming Naples Design District congregates at the buzzy District Naples (and its accompanying speakeasy, Staff Only). The gastropub is cloaked in inky hues and neon accents, reflecting the city’s trend toward younger, hipper locales. Perched comfortably on a plush velvet bar stool, I pull out my phone for photo after photo of art-worthy drinks and bar snacks like prosciutto on a meat board hung from minuscule hooks, recalling curing techniques. Aside from the entire page of NA (nonalcoholic) sippers—props to District for the options—I adored picking over crisp truffle pecorino waffle fries, sage-infused cheddar cubes and paper-thin slivers of peppered salami.